[b]NAGASE ERI[/b]

I smile in turn. Knew it. And luckily for him, it looks like he's already starting to cool down. Literally. I could almost make a dumb joke about me fulfilling the wishes of my patron god with this, but nobody wants to hear that. Instead, I'll just keep things moving right along.

[color=a36209]"You bet! Nishinomiya and proud!"[/color] I state, folding my arms as I give him a once-over. Now that I see his face, I can tell that in spite of his height, he's younger than I am. The color-coding of his uniform, which I hadn't really paid much attention to at first, confirmed my suspicions for me. Matsuoka is a first-year.

Looks like I've found myself a kouhai.

...Okay, not really a kouhai in any capacity, I know. I'm as new to the school as he is, since I got transferred at the start of the year. But still, he's someone with common ground, and in this crazy place that's an invaluable trait in someone.

[color=a36209]"Nice to know some old neighbors are along for the ride too, huh?"[/color]

Now, I'm starting to feel a little more like myself. I thank you for that, Matsuoka-kun. You've helped me out in a way I'm sure you could never know.

I'll have to pay you back.